The affiliate marketing sector will drive an estimated £4.62bn in UK online retail sales during 2010, according to a report published this week by Econsultancy.
The Affiliate Marketing Buyer’s Guide 2010, the most comprehensive report available on the UK’s digital performance marketing industry, estimates that the sector grew by 8% in 2009 and will expand by a further 12% in 2010.
According to the report, the sector was worth £4.13 billion last year, when an estimated £245 million was paid in commissions and fees to affiliates and networks.
In line with the sector’s overall growth, the value of commission and fees will increase to £275 million for 2010, according to the report.
The £4.62 billion figure should be seen in the context of figures released by the Interactive Media in Retail Group (IMRG), which predict that online sales during 2010 will hit £56 billion.
The affiliate marketing industry will be responsible for 8% of all online sales within the UK during 2010 according to these figures.
Econsultancy’s Research Manager Aliya Zaidi said: “Econsultancy strongly believes that the sector will continue to add value to the customer journey and drive significant sales for companies which they wouldn’t have otherwise made.”